Get paid while you train: apprenticeships and trade programs

6 min read · Written for: Veterans who want a wage now and a credential in two to four years.

Union and employer apprenticeships pay from day one and often prioritize veterans. Here is how the intake actually works.

1. Step 1

   Pick two trades, not one

   Electrical, pipefitting, welding, heavy equipment, HVAC, and elevator work all run veteran-friendly intakes on different calendars. Two options means you start on whichever opens first.

2. Step 2

   Call the local training center directly

   Ask three questions: when does the next intake open, what does the aptitude test cover, and do you hold veteran preference. Write the answers down with the name of who told you.

3. Step 3

   Prepare for the aptitude test

   Most tests are arithmetic, fractions, and reading comprehension. Two weeks of practice is usually the difference between a waitlist and a start date.

4. Step 4

   Show up to the interview like a job interview

   Boots, clean clothes, reliable transportation plan, and a straight answer about your availability. Attendance is the trait they are screening for.